In this, the first novel of the best-selling Incarnations of Immortality series, Piers Anthony combines a deeply moving examination of the meaning of life and death with a gripping story of romance and loyalty, all set in a world of magic and technical wizardry.

5 out of 5 stars

Listening to a Black iPod

By
Pete
on
11-02-09

Differently Morphous

By:
Yahtzee Croshaw

Narrated by:
Yahtzee Croshaw

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
546

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
514

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
512

A magical serial killer is on the loose, and gelatinous, otherworldly creatures are infesting the English countryside. Which is making life for the Ministry of Occultism difficult, because magic is supposed to be their best kept secret. After centuries in the shadows, the Ministry is forced to unmask, exposing the country's magical history - and magical citizens - to a brave new world of social media, government scrutiny, and public relations.

5 out of 5 stars

Half Supernatural thriller, half Yes Minister

By
Anonymous User
on
16-03-18

The Colour of Magic

Discworld 1

By:
Terry Pratchett

Narrated by:
Nigel Planer

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,038

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
1,596

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,596

The Colour of Magic, the first novel in Terry Pratchett's wildly imaginative Discworld series, takes the listener on a remarkable journey. The magical planet of Discworld is supported by four massive elephants who stand on the back of the Great A'Tuin, a giant turtle swimming slowly through the mysterious interstellar gulf. An eccentric expedition sets out to explore the planet, encountering dragons who only exist if you believe in them, and, of course, "The Edge" of the planet.

5 out of 5 stars

Audio - white noise

By
Frank
on
29-07-14

Belgarath the Sorcerer

By:
David Eddings,
Leigh Eddings

Narrated by:
Cameron Beierle

Length: 32 hrs and 46 mins

Unabridged

Overall

5 out of 5 stars
73

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
67

Story

5 out of 5 stars
67

Best-selling authors David and Leigh Eddings welcome fans back to the time before The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Join them as they chronicle that fateful conflict between two mortally opposed Destinies, in a monumental war of men and kings and gods.

2 out of 5 stars

good story ruined by poor performer

By
Alison
on
30-09-17

Sufficiently Advanced Magic

Arcane Ascension, Book 1

By:
Andrew Rowe

Narrated by:
Nick Podehl

Length: 21 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
998

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
951

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
949

Five years ago Corin Cadence's brother entered the Serpent Spire - a colossal tower with ever-shifting rooms, traps, and monsters. Those who survive the spire's trials return home with an attunement: a mark granting the bearer magical powers. According to legend, those few who reach the top of the tower will be granted a boon by the spire's goddess. He never returned. Now it's Corin's turn. He's headed to the top floor, on a mission to meet the goddess.

4 out of 5 stars

Fun "D&D" style adventure.

By
Joe
on
05-08-17

Split Infinity

Apprentice Adept Series, Book 1

By:
Piers Anthony

Narrated by:
Traber Burns

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
27

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
15

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
15

On the technological, decadent world of Proton, someone was trying to destroy Stile, serf and master Gamesman. His only escape lay in Phaze, a world totally ruled by magic. Soon he learned that his alternate self had already been murdered, and that he was next. On Proton, his fate depended on winning the great Games. On Phaze, he must master magic to survive. And if he used any magic at all, his friends were determined to kill him at once!

5 out of 5 stars

Another Piers Anthony brilliant book.

By
Ian
on
26-03-15

On a Pale Horse

Incarnations of Immortality, Book One

By:
Piers Anthony

Narrated by:
George Guidall

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
63

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
36

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
37

In this, the first novel of the best-selling Incarnations of Immortality series, Piers Anthony combines a deeply moving examination of the meaning of life and death with a gripping story of romance and loyalty, all set in a world of magic and technical wizardry.

5 out of 5 stars

Listening to a Black iPod

By
Pete
on
11-02-09

Differently Morphous

By:
Yahtzee Croshaw

Narrated by:
Yahtzee Croshaw

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
546

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
514

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
512

A magical serial killer is on the loose, and gelatinous, otherworldly creatures are infesting the English countryside. Which is making life for the Ministry of Occultism difficult, because magic is supposed to be their best kept secret. After centuries in the shadows, the Ministry is forced to unmask, exposing the country's magical history - and magical citizens - to a brave new world of social media, government scrutiny, and public relations.

5 out of 5 stars

Half Supernatural thriller, half Yes Minister

By
Anonymous User
on
16-03-18

The Colour of Magic

Discworld 1

By:
Terry Pratchett

Narrated by:
Nigel Planer

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,038

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
1,596

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,596

The Colour of Magic, the first novel in Terry Pratchett's wildly imaginative Discworld series, takes the listener on a remarkable journey. The magical planet of Discworld is supported by four massive elephants who stand on the back of the Great A'Tuin, a giant turtle swimming slowly through the mysterious interstellar gulf. An eccentric expedition sets out to explore the planet, encountering dragons who only exist if you believe in them, and, of course, "The Edge" of the planet.

5 out of 5 stars

Audio - white noise

By
Frank
on
29-07-14

Belgarath the Sorcerer

By:
David Eddings,
Leigh Eddings

Narrated by:
Cameron Beierle

Length: 32 hrs and 46 mins

Unabridged

Overall

5 out of 5 stars
73

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
67

Story

5 out of 5 stars
67

Best-selling authors David and Leigh Eddings welcome fans back to the time before The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Join them as they chronicle that fateful conflict between two mortally opposed Destinies, in a monumental war of men and kings and gods.

2 out of 5 stars

good story ruined by poor performer

By
Alison
on
30-09-17

Sufficiently Advanced Magic

Arcane Ascension, Book 1

By:
Andrew Rowe

Narrated by:
Nick Podehl

Length: 21 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
998

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
951

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
949

Five years ago Corin Cadence's brother entered the Serpent Spire - a colossal tower with ever-shifting rooms, traps, and monsters. Those who survive the spire's trials return home with an attunement: a mark granting the bearer magical powers. According to legend, those few who reach the top of the tower will be granted a boon by the spire's goddess. He never returned. Now it's Corin's turn. He's headed to the top floor, on a mission to meet the goddess.

4 out of 5 stars

Fun "D&D" style adventure.

By
Joe
on
05-08-17

Split Infinity

Apprentice Adept Series, Book 1

By:
Piers Anthony

Narrated by:
Traber Burns

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
27

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
15

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
15

On the technological, decadent world of Proton, someone was trying to destroy Stile, serf and master Gamesman. His only escape lay in Phaze, a world totally ruled by magic. Soon he learned that his alternate self had already been murdered, and that he was next. On Proton, his fate depended on winning the great Games. On Phaze, he must master magic to survive. And if he used any magic at all, his friends were determined to kill him at once!

5 out of 5 stars

Another Piers Anthony brilliant book.

By
Ian
on
26-03-15

Rivers of London

Rivers of London, Book 1

By:
Ben Aaronovitch

Narrated by:
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
6,613

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
5,342

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
5,331

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit--we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to--and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May.

5 out of 5 stars

Rivers of London

By
Penelope A. Wythes
on
27-04-11

Board Stiff

By:
Piers Anthony

Narrated by:
Matthew Josdal

Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins

Unabridged

Overall

1 out of 5 stars
1

Performance

1 out of 5 stars
1

Story

1 out of 5 stars
1

"I'm actually a smart girl who would make any man an excellent wife. But no man sees that. No man is interested in my mind or personality, just my whatevers. So here is my wish: I'm board stiff. I want Adventure, Excitement, and Romance." So begins Piers Anthony's 38th Xanth novel, in which Irrelevant Candy looks at her reflection in the water of the shallow well and sees luxuriant midnight-black hair reaching down to her breathtakingly slender waist, matching the dark eyes in her lovely face.

1 out of 5 stars

As if a child wrote it

By
rasmus
on
11-10-17

Fashionably Dead

By:
Robyn Peterman

Narrated by:
Jessica Almasy

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
50

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
48

Story

4 out of 5 stars
48

Vampyres don't exist. They absolutely do not exist. At least I didn't think they did 'til I tried to quit smoking and ended up Undead. Who in the hell did I screw over in a former life that my getting healthy equates with dead? Now I'm a Vampyre. Yes, we exist whether we want to or not. However, I have to admit, the perks aren't bad. My girls no longer jiggle, my ass is higher than a kite, and the latest Prada keeps finding its way to my wardrobe.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and funny

By
Amazon Customer
on
09-07-17

Refugee

By:
Piers Anthony

Narrated by:
Basil Sands

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged

Overall

5 out of 5 stars
3

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
3

Story

5 out of 5 stars
3

Though he was later accused of every crime and sexual perversion in the galaxy, Hope Hubris began as an innocent. Because he defended his older sister against the violent lusts of a wealthy scion, Hope and his peasant family were forced to flee Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter. Pursued by the bloodthirsty scions across the airless desert, they barely escaped with their lives. The illegal space bubble was overcrowded with refugees, all hoping to reach Jupiter for asylum.

Trouble in Mudbug

By:
Jana DeLeon

Narrated by:
Johanna Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
45

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
42

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
43

Scientist Maryse Robicheaux thought that a lot of her problems had gone away with her mother-in-law's death. The woman was rude, pushy, manipulative and used her considerable wealth to run herd over the entire town of Mudbug, Louisiana. Unfortunately, death doesn't slow down Helena one bit. DEA Agent Luc LeJeune is wondering what his undercover assignment investigating the sexy scientist has gotten him into - especially as it seems someone wants her dead.

5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

By
Liz1873
on
28-01-18

Wizard Defiant

Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles, Book 1

By:
Rodney Hartman

Narrated by:
Guy Williams

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
46

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
44

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
44

Wizard scouts are the elite, deep-recon forces of the Intergalactic Empire. They are a mix of technology and magic-like abilities. Richard has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become one of these legendary soldiers. All he has to do is make it through the Wizard Scout Academy. But with a TAC officer who hates his guts, will he even be allowed to graduate. To make matters worse, the Empire has been attacked and soon finds itself in a major war.

5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Story new take on wizards and magic

By
Paul
on
28-08-16

Summary

When life seems pointless to Norton, he accepts the position of Incarnation of Time. With the other incarnations - Death, Fate, War, and Nature - already distracting him, Satan springs a cunning trap.

Bearing an Hourglass is a fascinating, richly imagined tale that reaches beyond genre conventions. Science-fiction/fantasy legend Piers Anthony combines a gripping plot with a serious and thought-providing study of good and evil.

Story

A bit saucy, and full of Zest

The second in the series, this story continues w/ the Incarnations and follows the pattern from A Pale Horse. APH was a bit funnier, and BAHG is a bit more science oriented. The devil is up to his usual great tricks, characters are great, science is mostly believable, and the puns are good.

Can't wait for the next in the series!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

joe

23-08-07

Intricate

Second in the series, this is a challenging book to follow, however a must read for those who bite in to the "Luna" saga. Do not miss the authors note at the end! On its own this book doesn't have the punch of On a Pale Horse, but is fill so many gaps needed to truly understand the strange view of Piers' Incarnations. Don't pass this one up, in will entertain as well as educate.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Overall

3 out of 5 stars

Performance

3 out of 5 stars

Story

3 out of 5 stars

Cliff

11-02-14

OK. Just didn't hold up as well as I remembered

This is the second book in the series. It is typical Piers Anthony writing. It is light on character development and more about problem solving. I'd say this is one of those series that reads more like a transcript of a role playing game session than a novel. It isn't bad, it isn't great. It is a passable read. I loved ythis series as a child. Maybe it is more for young adults because it didn't hold up as well as I remember. If you like Piers Anthony you will like this one. If not, you won't. it isn't bad, but it isn't anything to write home about either.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

Bryan J. Peterson

08-04-13

Well done.

Bearing an Hourglass is the second installment of Anthony's Incarnations of Imortality series. It is set some years after On a Pale Horse. As the story opens, the solitary, nomadic Norton is enjoying a camping trip when he's paid a visit by a ghost who makes a strange request. The ghost, a young dragonslayer named Gawain who met is demise in battle with a dragon that actually turned out to be a dinosaur, is married to a young woman who lives on and enjoys all the benefits of Gawain's estate in exchange for producing an heir. Gawain's request is that Norton meet the girl and sire said heir. Though reluctant, Norton agrees to meet the young woman, Orlene. He quickly discovers that Orlene has the peculiar ability to see a person's aura, which manifests itself in the form of a glow, and to know the character of that individual based on that glow. Despite his best efforts Norton becomes attracted to Orlene and as Gawain hopes impregnates her. Not long after the birth, however, Gawain reappears with devastating news that ultimately causes Orlene to commit suicide. As compensation, the ghost arranges for the grieving Norton to have the chance to assume the office of Chronos, the Incarnation of Time. Though reluctant, Norto takes up the Hourglass and soon finds himself embroiled in the endless struggle againstSatan, the Incarnation of Evil, who seems bent on discrediting or otherwise neutralizing an influencial senator who could prove to be his greatest foe. Only time will tell if Norton will have what it takes to avoid Satan's subtle snares and keep Seator Kaftan safe from harm. All in all this was an excellent story. I've always enjoyed Piers Anthony's writing and George Guidall does a fine job narrating this tale. If ou haven't already done so I heartily recommend this series, particularly the first four books. These are On a Pale Horse, Bearing an Hourglass, With a Tangled Skein and Wielding a Red Sword. The rest are Being a Green Mother, For Love of Evil, And Eternity and most recently Under a Velvet Cloak, though this last is not currently available from Audible.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

Lego Man

03-05-18

masterful...

Great complex plot, excellent character development. Really liked how the adversary is baulk. love the series, Guidall shines in reading fantasy- great characterization if the adversary!

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

John Schwarz

05-04-18

A good book

Interesting as always, a little technical in the middle, but overall an engaging story. Later

Overall

1 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

1 out of 5 stars

charles

21-03-18

I guess I'm not a true fan

I somewhat enjoyed Book 1, which is why I got Book 2, but what a chore listening.
I found Book 2 a collection of events and concepts involving time flowing forward and backward with convoluted explainations as to how, what, why, but especially when something had happened, is happening or would happen.
The interactions Chronos had/has/will have with many charaters to be have been tedious and pointless to the point of agony.
I don't think I'll be getting the rest of the series.

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

Alice Benham

15-03-18

The books fit together yet can stand alone

Where does Bearing an Hourglass rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is hard to rank such a work of awesomeness.

What did you like best about this story?

Consistency with the first book, and making a confusing situation not frustrating but interesting. Just the right amount of WOW.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

George Guidall is the BEST. His voices, and timing when reading are perfect. I read these books back in the late 80's and I thought they were good then, Mr. Guidall puts a special spin on it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I REALLY enjoyed the humor in this one, these books all have a laugh here and there, but this one really shines. LOL Laugh out Loud, I did indeed.

Any additional comments?

I AM SO happy these books are audio now. I loved them when I read them the first time, and I love them even more now that I am hearing them.

Overall

4 out of 5 stars

Performance

4 out of 5 stars

Story

3 out of 5 stars

Anonymous User

23-09-17

Overall a worth while story

This is the second book in the "Incarnations of Immortality" series and as such I found it to be a good follow up to the 1st book and helps cements the concepts laid down. However I found this book to be a bit lack luster compared to the 1st one a lot of the same themes come up but I feel they were better handled in the first one. I also felt like Zane (Death from the first book) lacked the personality that made him such a compelling character

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

Marcus Penney

21-09-17

loves it

amazing novel. my only regret is not reading earlier in my life. inspiring and weird, but ultimately fascinating.